Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccines will be made available for children in a number of local community pharmacies as part of a regional initiative.
As the number of measles cases continues to rise in the North West – with confirmed cases now in Lancashire - health chiefs in Lancashire and South Cumbria are stepping up efforts to get more unvaccinated people protected and help stop the spread of the disease.
MMR vaccines will be available to unvaccinated children aged five to 11 as walk-in appointments at 13 pharmacies in the region (a list of participating pharmacies is available HERE).
Dr Lindsey Dickinson, associate medical director for NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board, which plans and organises health services across the region, said: “If your child has missed any of their MMR vaccines, you can now visit one of the participating pharmacies for a catch-up jab, or alternatively you can contact their GP surgery for a referral to the pharmacy.
“While the main measles outbreaks so far have been in London, the West Midlands and Manchester, there are now cases in Lancashire as the disease continues to spread. There is currently no medical treatment for measles and it can cause serious harm to adults and children of all ages - that is why getting vaccinated is so important.
“Two doses of the MMR vaccine can give someone effective lifelong protection against becoming seriously unwell with the disease.”
The initiative is initially being piloted in a limited number of pharmacies across the region that were approved to give COVID-19 vaccines to 5-11-year-olds during the pandemic, and is part of a widening role for pharmacies that includes seasonal flu and COVID-19 vaccination and the new pharmacy first service.
Michael Ball, a pharmacist clinician at Broadway Pharmacy in Fulwood, Preston, which is involved in the pilot initiative, said: “Offering MMR vaccines at community pharmacies provides patients with the chance to access services within their local community at a convenient time, enhancing accessibility and ultimately increasing vaccination rates.
“Our pharmacists are highly skilled in administering vaccinations and providing healthcare advice and reassurance to patients, helping to address any vaccine hesitancy, and ensuring individuals make informed decisions about their health.
“The role of community pharmacists is rapidly evolving in response to changes in healthcare delivery, technology, and patient needs. Pharmacists are increasingly recognised as integral members of the healthcare team, with expanded clinical responsibilities and a greater focus on patient-centred care and public health initiatives aimed at promoting health and preventing disease.”
MMR vaccine coverage has been falling for the last decade with one in 10 children starting school in England not protected – in some parts of the North West, this figure is as high as three in 10 children.
The NHS in Lancashire and South Cumbria is urging to make sure their vaccinations are up to date and to be alert for measles after we are now starting to see clusters of confirmed measles cases in the North West region. There is a real risk that this outbreak could spread more widely.
If you are unsure whether your child has been vaccinated, your GP surgery should be able to check whether they have had one or both doses of the MMR vaccine.
Dr Sakthi Karunanithi, director of public health at Lancashire County Council, said: "Uptake of the routine childhood vaccinations is the lowest it's been in England in a decade, and this is giving serious diseases such as measles a chance to get a foothold in our communities.
"One in five children will need a hospital visit if they become unwell with measles and around one in 15 cases can lead to complications such as meningitis, sepsis and blindness.
"Quite simply, the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine provides the best protection against becoming seriously unwell from measles.
"We know families lead busy lives so we're trying to make it easier for parents to protect themselves and their loved ones from this disease.
"If any of your children have missed any of their MMR vaccines, contact your GP surgery or visit one of the 13 community pharmacies across the region that are now delivering vaccinations."
More information on the MMR vaccine is available at MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine - NHS (www.nhs.uk).
If you or your child do develop any symptoms of measles, contact your GP by phone. Please do not go to your GP, walk-in centre or any other healthcare setting without calling ahead, as measles is very infectious and so arrangements can be made to prevent others from being infected.